Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard (Black/Silver) by Logitech
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Digital camera reviews of Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard (Black/Silver)
Digital camera Review: A bit impressed, nice to see lighted keys when I want.
Summary: 5 Stars
First for the problem which was short and sweet, and only happened once so far. Computer shut down really odd one night after a heavy gaming sequence. Next day after first boot, the Enter key would not work on anything, so finally just rebooted, worked well again and no problems since.
Now for the greatness. This puppy is super. Didn't think I would use the Widows-key disabler, but use all the time now so when gaming I don't get sent to the desktop for an unwanted Windows Key function choosing! God, that can be disturbing in the middle of a game. Then too the lights are great, and down the road should be even better as in time the decals usually wear down and lose their visability. For simple passwords, you can even configure one of the "G" keys, so I will start Outlook with one, and the next above it will be my password press. Same with other not so sensitive security websites that are minimal security for me. Now banking online will be in my head only and typed in when needed, for sure. Really glad I got this thing, somebody clued them in on what was just right! Works well in tandum with theG5 mouse! The new G5 corded, you know, has the blue leopard skin on it? Together they rock! I tried newer software off the web, but didn't like it so stuck with what came on the disk, quite nice.
Of course, Amazon.com rocks too, their were initial problems with ordering and getting a discount awarded to me, but customer service was simply imaculate ......... these days it is hard to find a company so willing to satisfy the buyer and being absolutely fair in all dealings. I should get some stock with them as I feel they will be around for a long time!
Jeff, "The Home ComputerGuy" in TX
thehomecomputerguyfromtexas.com
Digital camera Review: A great general purpose keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
I do not use the keyboard for gaming. I use it for wordprocessing and graphics. The touch and feel of the keyboard is quite good with strong tactical feedback. The subtle mechanical "clatter" provides audible feedback. The backlit keys are a joy when working in low light levels. Creating and assigning macros is very easy, and works well.
The audio controls work well, particularly the volume control which rotates (like an old fashioned rheostat) to more easily and precisely control the volume (just swivel it with your index finger). The "speaker" on/off button is especially appreciated when surfing websites with loud annoying music which cannot, or cannot easily, be turned off. Unfortunately, it remains lit whether "on" or "off", and there is no other inidcation of whether the sound is turned on or off.
CREATING PROFILES
Although it may seem logical to just start using the macro recorder with the "default configuration" profile, resist the temptation. You cannot import/export macros across profiles. Nor can you rename the "default configuration" profile to a specific program profile. So, it is important to specify a profile name for the application program you are using. It is very easy to create a new profile: From the keyboard window (labeled "Logitect G-Series Keyboard Profiler") menu, just select "profile", then "new", and enter any appropriate name, usually the application program name. That's all. You do not need a "description" nor to "select game executable". When I installed the macro program the first time, and choose "select game executable" the program failed to find the executables for the running program or any application programs I use, so I had no other choice than to define my profiles as described above.
UPDATE: After my harddrive crashed, I had to reinstall the software---and it acted totally differently, for no reason I can tell. It would not accept a profile name without a "select game executable". So, I had to define macros with the default profile---which the macro program then automatically associated with the application program I was using---magically finding the corresponding "program executable" that it could not find previously. That is, the macro program created a "profile" from the program exe file name---but I still have to manually select the corresponding profile. Note, the macro program also used the executable for the profile name, but you can edit the profile name. I don't understand, and I would prefer more control.
I include instructions above for both situations, depending on how the macro program is working (or not) for you.
CREATING MACROS
Although the instructions for creating macros seem clear, and there seems to be multiple ways of doing most things, I've developed my own procedure which seem simpler: Manually select the appropriate profile. With your program running full screen, (so that you can confirm the actions selected), press the "MR" key to turn recording on, then press the "G" key you want to assign the macro to, then enter the macro keystrokes, and finally press the "MR" key again to save the macro. When you are satisfied that the macro is working properly, then name it. To name a newly created macro from the keyboard window (labeled "Logitect G-Series Keyboard Profiler") menu, choose "Edit", then "macro manager", then click on the temporary name "quick macro", "edit" type in a new name).
Once named, you can rearrange the macros if desired---just click on the macro name on the keyboard window, select "assign macro", and choose the macro you want for that key. Changing the macros assigned to the keys does not destroy the old macros formerly assigned to the keys. The old macros are still available, and can be assigned to other keys.
CAVEATS
Since I'm a non-gamer, I often have several application programs running simultaneously. I'd like to be able to use macros for several programs without having to manually change profiles. According to the instructions, the macro program is supposed to sense the active "game" or application program and automatically switch profiles, but it doesn't do that for me, I have to manually select the active profile.
The descriptions of functions on the box and the enclosed written instructions are worthless. The built-in help is pretty good. However, the help instructions often refer to consulting an LCD screen which is incorporated into some models, but not into this one. Such instructions are potentially confusing.
The description, "3 key light levels" is a bit misleading, because one of those "levels" is "off". I use only the brightest level. If left "on", the backlight turns on when the computer boots, and "off" when the computer is shut down.
The key labels are very small, much smaller than on my default HP keyboard. Larger labels would be more legible. The backlighting washes out at high ambient light levels and the labels are dark grey on black, and therefore difficult to see in bright light. This is not a significant problem--but I'd suggest cheaper non-backlit models if you plan to use the keyboard in a bright ambient light environment.
The key labels are all blue (except for the three yellow "M" keys). It might be more functional if different groups of keys were different colors, at least for the "central keyboard". For example, the home keys (a, s, d, f, j, k, l, ;) might be green, alphanumeric keys blue, control keys (tab, caps lock, shift, cntl, windows, alt, backspace, \, enter etc.) yellow, and the escape key red.
The two USB ports are only 1.0, which is okay for mice, joysticks, and other controllers, but not for data transfer.
NOTES TO MANUFACTURER
It would be handy if "quick macros" could be renamed on the keyboard window, without having to open "macro manager". Similarly, it should be possible to name a new profile by choosing "new profile" from the "current profile" window.
I would appreciate an optional, preferably repositionable, compact menu bar reflecting macro assignments as an alternative to the "keyboard profiler" window takes up nearly ½ of the screen horizontally and vertically, and cannot be resized.
It would be handy if there was an option "import macros from default profile", or better yet "import macros from an existing profile"
It would be nice if there was a "scan for other programs" in addition to the "scan for games" option--since many users, like me use the keyboard for applications other than games.
The default assignments of the upper two rows of G keys is are the "functions keys" 1 to 12. It would be more functional to assign these to the lower two rows, because this would make one-hand "shift-alt-F11" etc. combinations (which may be so defined in some programs) possible.
Digital camera Review: Almost Perfect
Summary: 4 Stars
It's a great keyboard. Looks good, lights up the letters and numbers as well as behind the keys themselves. The feel of the keys is pleasurable. It's a satisfying click when you lay down some thought symbols with your fingertips. I haven't made use of the macro keys but I will someday. It's fully integrated with Windows Media Player and Windows itself, so you can turn the sound up and down on the keyboard. Also skip songs, pause songs, etc. I've only one complaint: USB 1.1 technology. Let's get with the times. These USB ports on the back of the keyboard (2 of 'em) are f*cking 1.1 speed. This is ridiculously slow. It's not twice as slow. It's about four times as slow. That's it. Late.Digital camera Review: Almost perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this keyboard. The extra macro-programmable keys are great. The blue lighted keys look cool and enable use in the dark.
But I can't change songs in Yahoo Music Jukebox unless Jukebox is the active application (which means that feature is not useable for me). Also the software must be manually loaded when I start a game or app.
Digital camera Review: Amazing Keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
This keyboard is just plain amazing. The one thing I can think of that's bad yet REALLY awesome is that it has TOO many shortcut keys. I can't even think of what to set each one to. One thing I wish it had is if the software for the keyboard would open a small window when you hold the shortcut key that would tell you what you have set to that key. With so many keys, it's hard to remember what you have set to each one. I have shortcut keys 1-3 set to enable/disable my multi-monitor setup. I have a shortcut for the calculater, notepad, Ventrilo, and a few other of my daily-used programs. I have 1 key set to launch and log in to all 3 of my messengers: AIM, MSN, and Xfire. The keys are really soft and really makes typing feel quiet and quicker! The blue light matches perfect with my custom-built desktop which also has blue-lit fans.